Editor's Letter: You Don’t Have to Travel Far to Get Away.

The September-October issue of Salt Lake magazine traditionally features “getaways”—recommended trips to places that take you away from your daily routine to experiences that might give you a new perspective on life. Sometimes, these places are far away—we just flew direct to London from SLC. But often, you can gain a fresh point of view much closer to home.

In a way, that’s what Salt Lake magazine is all about: We explore our city’s culture and subcultures and suggest places to go, point out people to pay attention to, events to attend and issues to talk about—in the hope that we can help you discover something new about your hometown or understand a fresh way to look at it. Ashley Szanter shows us that virtual reality is reality at THE VOID in Utah County. Glen Warchol introduces us to a couple of locals who are in the final weeks of what they call “The Neverending Hike.” Susan Lacke reminds us that art offers a lens to other cultures in her article on the Saudi art exhibit coming up at UMOCA.

For this issue, our writers went to Laguna Beach, California; Boulder, Colorado; Spokane, Santa Fe and Boise—all cities that offer what we are often looking for: the best of both worlds. That is, city-sophisticated dining and entertainment with easy access to outdoor adventure. They are also all within driving distance—because the journey is part of the destination.

Me? I drove all the way to Provo to take a yoga class with goats. And if you don’t think that doesn’t give you a fresh perspective, let’s talk. (I’m the one under the goat.)